Best Budget Band Saws for DIY Workshops
A band saw is the tool that turns curves, tight radii and resawing from a fight into a routine job. We have compared motor ratings, cut capacity, blade speed and blade availability to find the budget band saws that are genuinely worth owning, and we are upfront about what a small budget does and does not buy.
Quick answer
For most home workshops the WEN 3959 9-inch benchtop band saw is the cheapest saw worth buying, with a 2.5-amp motor and 3-5/8 inches of cut depth. If you want to resaw boards, step up to the WEN 3962, a 10-inch two-speed saw with 6 inches of cut depth and a stand. For cutting metal, pipe or conduit you want a handheld portable band saw such as the Milwaukee 2429-20, not a benchtop wood saw.
About the "under $100" question
This page used to promise band saws under $100. That price point is not real for a new band saw. Entry-level 9-inch benchtop saws start above it, and bare-tool portable band saws start higher still. Rather than list saws that do not exist at that price, the picks below are the genuinely inexpensive end of a category that simply does not go as low as some listings imply.
Why trust ToolBuyerHub
- Compared on published specs (motor rating, cut depth, blade speed)
- Blade length and replacement availability checked
- Owner feedback patterns reviewed
- Build quality & warranty checked
- Brand reliability and parts support
- No fake hands-on claims
Research updated August 2026. Specs are manufacturer figures; confirm current details on the product page before buying.
WEN 3959 9-Inch Benchtop Band Saw
The realistic entry point into band saws, with a metal table and standard 59-1/2 inch blades.
| Product | Best for | Type | Cut depth | Editor score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEN 3959 | Best value benchtop | 9 in. benchtop, corded | 3-5/8 in. | 4.4 / 5 |
| WEN 3962 | Resawing and bigger stock | 10 in. benchtop, corded | 6 in. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Milwaukee 2429-20 (M12) | Pipe, conduit, tight spaces | Handheld, 12V cordless | 1-5/8 in. | 4.4 / 5 |
| DEWALT DCS371B (20V MAX) | Deeper metal cuts on site | Handheld, 20V cordless | 2-1/2 in. | 4.4 / 5 |
WEN 3959 9-Inch Benchtop Band Saw
Best ValuePros
- The least expensive band saw that is still a real band saw
- Uses common 59-1/2 inch blades, easy to replace
- Table bevels 0 to 45 degrees, fence and miter gauge included
Cons
- Single speed, so it is a wood saw only
- Stock blade is worth replacing early
- Needs bolting down or clamping to stay steady
The WEN 3959 is the saw most people should start with. The 2.5-amp motor and 3-5/8 inch cut depth cover curves in nominal stock, cutting tenon cheeks, trimming small parts and general hobby work. The 9-inch throat sets how wide a panel you can swing past the frame, which is the practical limit on this class of saw.
The single most useful upgrade is a decent blade. Budget saws ship with a coarse general-purpose blade, and a quality 1/4 inch blade transforms curve cutting. Because it uses the standard 59-1/2 inch length, replacements are stocked everywhere.
WEN 3962 10-Inch Two-Speed Band Saw
Best Step UpPros
- 6 inches of cut depth makes real resawing possible
- Two blade speeds (1,520 and 2,620 FPM)
- Comes with a stand and a work light
Cons
- Costs meaningfully more than a 9-inch benchtop
- Around 74 pounds assembled, not a saw you move often
- Fence needs careful setup for drift-free resawing
The WEN 3962 is where a band saw starts doing the job people actually buy one for. Six inches of cut depth means you can resaw a nominal 1x6 into thin stock, cut your own veneer or slice small bowl blanks. The 9-3/4 inch throat and 72-inch blade put it a full class above the 9-inch benchtop saws.
The lower 1,520 FPM speed is aimed at denser hardwoods and plastics rather than metal. Treat the included stand as part of the value: it puts the table at working height and adds the mass that small saws lack.
Milwaukee 2429-20 M12 Sub-Compact Band Saw
Best for Metal & PipePros
- Blade speed is set for metal, unlike any wood band saw
- Light enough for overhead and one-handed work
- Cuts cleanly with no sparks or heat discoloration
Cons
- Sold as a bare tool; battery and charger cost extra
- 1-5/8 inch capacity rules out larger stock
- Only makes sense if you are on, or joining, the M12 platform
This is the tool the old "budget metal-cutting band saw" advice should have pointed at. A benchtop wood saw runs its blade far too fast for steel, so if your cutting is copper pipe, EMT conduit, threaded rod, strut or small angle, a handheld portable band saw is the correct tool.
At under seven pounds the 2429-20 gets into joist bays and under sinks where a reciprocating saw cannot work cleanly. The 1-5/8 inch capacity is the honest limit: it swallows common pipe and rod sizes and nothing much bigger.
DEWALT DCS371B 20V MAX Band Saw
Best Deep-Cut PortablePros
- 2-1/2 inch capacity handles larger pipe and angle iron
- 570 SFPM suits a wide range of metals
- Integrated hang hook and LED work light
Cons
- Bare tool only, no battery or charger included
- Heavier and bulkier than the M12 class
- Blades are a consumable; buy spares up front
If your work runs to larger pipe, Unistrut or angle iron, the extra capacity over a sub-compact saw matters. The DCS371B takes 2-1/2 inch stock and runs at 570 SFPM, which is a sensible general-purpose metal speed rather than a wood speed.
It is a bare tool, so the real cost depends on whether you already own DEWALT 20V MAX batteries. If you do, this is one of the better value additions to that platform; if you do not, price the kit version before deciding.
What to check before buying a budget band saw
Decide first whether you are cutting wood or metal. They are different machines. A benchtop wood band saw runs roughly 2,500 feet per minute, while metal cutting needs a few hundred. No amount of technique bridges that gap, and running a wood saw on steel just wrecks blades.
For a wood saw, cut depth is the spec that limits you most. A 9-inch benchtop saw gives about 3-5/8 inches, which is fine for curves in standard stock but not for resawing. Ten-inch saws roughly double that. Throat width, the distance from blade to frame, sets how wide a panel you can pass through, and it is always close to the nominal saw size.
Check blade length and buy accordingly: 59-1/2 inches for 9-inch benchtop saws, 72 inches for the 10-inch class. Common lengths mean cheap replacements. Also look for a table that bevels, a rip fence, a miter gauge, and a dust port sized for a shop vac hose.
Mistakes to avoid when buying a budget band saw
Do not buy a benchtop wood band saw expecting it to cut metal. That is the single most common mismatch in this category, and it is why the metal picks above are handheld portable saws instead.
Do not judge a saw by its stock blade. Nearly every budget saw ships with a mediocre blade, and a $15 replacement changes the machine more than any spec on the box. Do not skip mounting either: an unsecured benchtop saw vibrates, and vibration shows up as wandering cuts people blame on the motor.
Finally, do not confuse product lines. Model numbers across saws, sanders and grinders look alike within a brand, and it is easy to end up comparing a belt sander to a band saw. Check the product type on the listing, not just the model number.
FAQs
Are there any band saws under $100?
Not realistically, for a new saw. Entry-level 9-inch benchtop models such as the WEN 3959 sit above that, and bare-tool portable band saws sit higher. Used saws and estate sales are the only route below $100, and there you are buying blind on bearings and blade guides.
Can a budget band saw cut hardwood?
Yes, within its cut depth. A 2.5-amp 9-inch saw handles hardwood curves in stock up to about 3-5/8 inches thick if you feed slowly and use a sharp blade. Push it harder and it will bog or wander.
What blade length do budget band saws use?
9-inch benchtop saws typically use 59-1/2 inch blades. Ten-inch saws such as the WEN 3962 use 72-inch blades. Handheld portable band saws use their own much shorter loops, so always match the blade to the specific model.
Can I cut metal on a benchtop wood band saw?
No. Wood saws run their blades several times faster than metal cutting allows, and there is no speed adjustment low enough on single-speed models. Use a handheld portable band saw, an abrasive chop saw or a metal-rated bandsaw instead.
What is the difference between a band saw and a jigsaw?
A jigsaw is handheld and brings the blade to the work, which suits sheet goods and cutouts in place. A band saw is stationary and brings the work to a continuously running blade, which gives smoother curves, better control on small parts, and the ability to resaw.
Do I need a stand for a benchtop band saw?
You need it mounted to something solid. A stand is ideal, but bolting or clamping the saw to a sturdy bench works just as well. What you must avoid is letting it sit loose, because the saw will move under load.
Can I resaw with a budget band saw?
Only within the cut depth. A 9-inch saw at 3-5/8 inches can resaw narrow stock; a 10-inch saw at 6 inches can resaw a nominal 1x6. For resawing, use the widest blade the saw accepts and set the fence for blade drift.
How do I change a band saw blade?
Unplug the saw, release the blade tension, open the upper and lower wheel covers, remove the table insert and pin if fitted, then slide the old blade out through the table slot. Fit the new blade with the teeth pointing down toward the table, tension it, then set tracking and guides before closing up.
Are cheap band saws safe?
Yes, when set up properly. Keep the upper blade guide about a quarter inch above the workpiece, use a push stick on small parts, never reach across the blade, and let the saw stop on its own rather than braking it by hand.
What warranty do budget band saws come with?
WEN covers its stationary tools with a two-year warranty. Cordless portable band saws from Milwaukee and DEWALT carry longer tool warranties, typically three years, with separate shorter terms for batteries. Blades are consumables and are never covered.
Our verdict
For wood, the WEN 3959 is the cheapest band saw genuinely worth owning, and the WEN 3962 is the one to buy if you ever want to resaw. For metal, pipe and conduit, skip benchtop saws entirely: the Milwaukee 2429-20 handles common pipe and rod sizes, and the DEWALT DCS371B steps up to 2-1/2 inch stock. Whichever you choose, budget for a better blade on day one.