What's inside
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
Best Band Saws Under $800 for Woodworking
The best band saw under 800 for most small-shop woodworkers is a 14-inch, two-speed model: it offers a useful balance of resaw height, throat depth, and floor-space demands without using the whole budget. Choose a compact 9- or 10-inch saw for curves and small parts, or a larger 17-inch machine if thick stock is a regular job and you can find one within budget.
Prices vary by retailer, included accessories, and promotions, so the ranges below are broad U.S. market estimates rather than guaranteed current quotes. Verify the exact model’s manual before buying: similarly named saws can differ in resaw capacity, motor, and included fence.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Compare the main options
| Type or example | Wheel size | Typical resaw capacity | Typical throat | Typical weight | Approximate price range | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEN BA3959 benchtop | 9 in. | 3-1/2 in. | 9 in. | About 40 lb | $150–$250 | Small curves, hobby work, limited space |
| Rikon 10-305 benchtop | 10 in. | 4-5/8 in. | 9-5/8 in. | About 75 lb | $300–$450 | More substantial benchtop cutting |
| WEN 14-inch two-speed floor model | 14 in. | About 6 in. | 13-3/8 in. | About 110 lb | $400–$600 | General-purpose small-shop work |
| Grizzly G0555XH | 14 in. | About 12 in. with riser block | 13-1/2 in. | About 250 lb | $700–$800 when priced within budget | Higher resaw capacity, heavier-duty shop use |
| 17-inch floor-model class | 17 in. | Often 12 in. or more | About 16 in. | Often 250 lb or more | Usually above $800 new; occasional used or sale finds vary | Wide stock, if the machine and deal suit the shop |
Specifications are representative, not interchangeable across every revision or package. In particular, a riser block may increase capacity without making a saw as rigid or convenient as a purpose-built larger machine. Check the manufacturer’s current specification sheet for the exact model before purchase.
Pick by the work you actually do
For curves, small parts, and a cramped shop: 9- or 10-inch benchtop
A benchtop saw is easier to store and move, and its shallow capacity is rarely a problem for small craft parts, box components, or modest curve cutting. The tradeoff is a smaller throat and a shorter distance between table and upper guides. That limits both the width of a workpiece and the thickness you can resaw. A 9-inch model is the budget-first choice; a 10-inch saw generally gives a little more capacity and mass, but still is not a substitute for a 14-inch floor saw.
Plan for a rigid bench, a stable stand, and enough room to support long stock. A lightweight saw on a wobbly surface can make accurate feeding harder, even when the blade is sharp.
For a first serious shop saw: 14-inch, two-speed floor model
This is the most versatile category under $800. A typical 14-inch saw has roughly a 13-inch throat and around 6 inches of resaw capacity, enough for many furniture parts and rough lumber narrower than a full 8-inch board. Two speeds are useful when switching between wood and materials such as plastics, but speed control does not compensate for a dull or poorly selected blade.
Look closely at the fence, table trunnions, blade guides, and available blade widths. A fence that is easy to square and adjust can matter more in everyday use than a small difference in advertised motor power. Also budget for a suitable blade; the blade supplied with a saw is often a general-purpose starter blade, not the best choice for clean resawing.
For frequent resawing: prioritize rigidity and capacity
If you regularly turn wide boards into thinner stock, a 12-inch resaw capacity can save repeated setups and reduce the need to buy already-resawn lumber. The Grizzly G0555XH, configured with its riser block, is an example of a 14-inch saw that can reach that capacity and may fall near the top of this budget depending on the offer. Its heavier footprint and weight make it a poor match for a shop that needs to put tools away after every session.
Capacity is only a clearance measurement, not a promise of effortless cutting at the maximum height. A tall, hard board puts more demand on blade sharpness, tension, feed rate, and frame stability. For repeated full-height resawing, a heavier machine with an appropriate wide blade is usually a better long-term fit than choosing on capacity alone.
Throat depth, tracking, and footprint: the details that change the decision
- Throat depth is the distance from the blade to the frame. It sets the maximum width of stock you can cut from the blade toward the back of the workpiece. Don’t confuse it with resaw capacity, which is the maximum stock height beneath the upper guide.
- Blade tracking is the blade’s position on the wheels. A stable saw should let you track the blade consistently, but tracking depends on correct tension, clean wheels, an undamaged blade, and guides adjusted close to the blade. Persistent drift can come from blade condition or setup—not just the saw’s tracking knob.
- Footprint includes more than the base. Leave room to load long boards, open the cabinet doors, change blades, and stand safely at the table. A tall resaw cut also needs clearance above the table and a stable floor or stand.
- Blade choice affects results. A narrow blade turns tighter curves; a wider blade is generally easier to keep straight for resawing. Confirm the saw accepts the width and length you want, and follow its manual for tension and blade installation.
A quick fit calculation before you buy
Suppose your widest routine resaw blank is 7 inches tall. A saw with 6 inches of capacity cannot make that cut in one pass, regardless of its throat depth. A 12-inch-capacity model has 5 inches of nominal headroom, but that extra capacity is valuable only if you have the room, blade, and setup to use it. For occasional 7-inch stock, you might instead buy rough lumber in narrower widths or use another milling method; for regular work, prioritize a larger-capacity saw.
For footprint, measure the machine’s base and then mark the table position on the floor. Add the length of your longest workpiece in both feed directions, plus access for blade changes. This simple layout check can rule out a floor model before delivery, when returning a heavy tool is inconvenient and costly.
Decision matrix
| Your situation | Best match | Why | Compromise to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very limited space; occasional small projects | 9-inch benchtop | Lowest cost and easiest storage | Shallow resaw and narrow throat |
| Beginner; mostly curves and parts under 5 in. thick | 10-inch benchtop | More capacity without a full floor footprint | Needs a solid bench; limited wide-stock work |
| Weekly mixed woodworking; room for a permanent machine | 14-inch two-speed floor model | Useful balance of throat, capacity, and price | Starter blade and accessories may need upgrading |
| Frequent tall resaw cuts; adequate shop space | High-capacity 14-inch saw with riser, such as the G0555XH | More clearance while staying near the budget ceiling | Heavy machine; max capacity demands careful setup |
| Need a 16-in. throat or more | Look for a suitable used or discounted 17-inch saw | More room for wide workpieces | May exceed budget; inspect condition and transport needs |
Ownership realities: what to budget and maintain
Blades are consumables. Dull teeth, damaged welds, and pitch buildup can cause rough cuts, wandering, and excess strain. Clean blades as appropriate for their material, replace them when cleaning and proper setup no longer restore performance, and keep a spare blade suited to your most common cut. The tires and guides also need periodic inspection for debris, wear, or misalignment.
Before cutting, check that the blade is sharp and correctly installed, tensioned, and tracked according to the manual. Set the guides close enough to support the blade without pinching it, and use a fence or suitable guide for straight resaw cuts. Feed steadily rather than forcing the stock; a cut that slows or curves may call for a fresh blade, a lower feed rate, or a different blade profile.
Compare the complete setup cost, not just the saw price: stand or bench, fence, appropriate blades, dust collection connection, and delivery can push a near-$800 purchase over budget. For most buyers, a well-supported 14-inch saw with a good resaw blade is a better value than a nominally larger machine that leaves no room for setup or maintenance.