Best Makita Table Saw of 2026: The 2705 and Its Real Alternatives
Makita's table saw range is much smaller than most brand roundups suggest. In the United States it comes down to one current model, the 10-inch 2705 contractor saw, sold either bare or as the 2705X1 kit with a folding stand. This guide covers that saw honestly, plus the older 2704, the export-market MLT100 and the track saw a lot of buyers end up choosing instead.
Quick answer
The Makita 2705 10-inch contractor table saw is the only current Makita table saw in the US lineup, and it is the right pick for most people: 15 amp motor, 3-5/8 in cut depth at 90 degrees and 25 in rip capacity to the right of the blade. Buy the 2705X1 version if you need the folding stand, which the bare saw does not include. Makita does not currently sell a cordless table saw in North America.
Why trust ToolBuyerHub
- Specs checked against Makita's published documentation
- Model numbers verified against the real product line
- Owner-reported issues noted, never invented
- Build quality & warranty checked
- Discontinued and export-only models flagged
- No fake hands-on claims
Research updated June 2026. Ratings shown are our editorial scores, not scraped review averages.
Makita 2705 10-Inch Contractor Table Saw
15 amp motor, full 10-inch blade and a rack-and-pinion fence in a saw one person can still load into a truck.
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Editor's Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita 2705 | Best Overall | 10 in blade, 15 Amp, 25 in rip | 4.5/5 | Check Amazon |
| Makita 2705X1 | Best With Stand | Same saw plus folding stand | 4.5/5 | Check Amazon |
| Makita 2704 (discontinued) | Best Used Buy | 10 in blade, 15 Amp, about 62 lbs | 4.2/5 | Check Amazon |
| Makita MLT100 (export markets) | Outside North America | 260 mm blade, 1,500 W | 4.1/5 | Check Amazon |
| Makita SP6000J1 | Best Track Saw Alternative | 6-1/2 in blade, 12 Amp, guide rail | 4.6/5 | Check Amazon |
Makita 2705 10-Inch Contractor Table Saw
Best OverallPros
- Full 10-inch blade, so it cuts a nominal 4x4 in one pass
- 15 amp motor holds speed through hardwood rips
- Rack-and-pinion fence stays parallel and adjusts smoothly
Cons
- Sold bare: the folding stand costs extra unless you buy the 2705X1
- Dust collection needs a shop vac on the port to be effective
- Heavy enough that most people want two hands or a helper to load it
The 2705 is Makita's jobsite contractor saw and the model people usually mean when they search for a Makita table saw. It runs a full 10-inch blade at 4,800 RPM from a 15 amp motor, cutting 3-5/8 in deep at 90 degrees and roughly 2-1/2 in at 45 degrees. That 90-degree figure matters: a nominal 4x4 is actually 3-1/2 in thick, so this saw clears it in a single pass, which an 8-1/4 in jobsite saw cannot do.
Rip capacity is 25 in to the right of the blade, enough to break a 4x8 sheet in half lengthwise with the offcut supported. The rack-and-pinion fence is the feature owners consistently single out; it locks square without the fiddling that cheaper jobsite fences need. The trade-off is that the bare 2705 ships without a stand, so budget for one or step up to the kit below.
Makita 2705X1 Table Saw With Folding Stand
Best With StandPros
- Identical saw to the 2705, so no performance compromise
- Folding stand sets up and collapses in seconds
- Cheaper than buying saw and stand separately
Cons
- Two-piece load in and out of a vehicle
- Stand is redundant if the saw lives on a workbench
The 2705X1 is not a different saw. It is the 2705 packaged with Makita's folding jobsite stand, and that is the version most contractors should buy. Working off the ground with a table saw is both slow and unsafe, and matching a third-party stand to the 2705 mounting points is more hassle than it is worth.
If the saw is going to live in a garage on a fixed bench or a shop-built table, skip the kit and take the bare 2705. If it goes in a van, the stand pays for itself on the first job.
Makita 2704 10-Inch Table Saw (Discontinued)
Best Used BuyPros
- Same core layout and capacity as the 2705 it preceded
- Often cheap on the used market
- Parts and blades are still easy to find
Cons
- Discontinued, so new stock is scarce and often overpriced
- No warranty on a used unit
- Check the fence and blade guard before you buy
The 2704 is the model the 2705 replaced, and it is worth correcting a claim that circulates widely: this is not a cast-iron stationary cabinet saw. It is a portable contractor saw with an aluminum table, weighing roughly 62 lbs, with the same 10-inch blade, 15 amp motor and 3-5/8 in cut depth as its successor.
Makita has discontinued it, so treat this as a used-market pick. A clean 2704 at a fair price is a genuine bargain, but inspect the fence rails for dings and confirm the guard and riving knife are present, because those are the parts that go missing first.
Makita MLT100 260 mm Table Saw
Outside North AmericaPros
- Large table and generous rip capacity for the money
- Takes a 260 mm blade with a 30 mm bore
- Widely available in UK, EU and other export markets
Cons
- Not part of the US Makita lineup
- Blades are a metric size, so US-stocked 10 in blades are not a direct swap
- Heavier than the 2705 without being a true workshop saw
The MLT100 turns up in a lot of Makita table saw roundups aimed at US readers, and it should not. It is an export-market model built around a 260 mm blade with a 30 mm bore and a 1,500 W motor, sold mainly in the UK, Europe and similar markets rather than through Makita USA.
If you are reading from one of those markets, it is a reasonable mid-range saw with a big table and solid capacity. If you are in the US, blade sourcing and voltage make it the wrong tool to chase, and the 2705 does the same job with parts you can buy locally.
Makita SP6000J1 6-1/2-Inch Plunge Circular Saw Kit
Best Track Saw AlternativePros
- Splinter-free edges on plywood and melamine with the guide rail
- Variable speed from 2,000 to 5,200 RPM for different materials
- Ships with a 55 in guide rail in the J1 kit
Cons
- Not a table saw: no fence, no repeat narrow rips without setup
- Shallower cut than any 10-inch table saw
- Rail joining kit costs extra for full sheet length cuts
This is a plunge-cut track saw, listed here because it is the tool that genuinely replaces a table saw for a lot of people, not because it is one. If most of your cutting is breaking down full sheets of plywood, the SP6000J1 on its rail is safer, more accurate and far easier to store than any portable table saw.
The J1 kit includes a 55 in guide rail, which handles a crosscut on a 4x8 sheet. For a full 8 ft rip you need a second rail and the connector. Where it loses to the 2705 is repetitive narrow rips and thick stock, so many workshops end up owning both.
What to check before buying a Makita table saw
Start with what Makita actually sells where you live. In the US that is the 2705, bare or as the 2705X1 with a stand, and nothing else current. Anything advertised as a Makita cordless table saw is almost always a mislabeled circular saw, most often the 18V X2 rear-handle XSH08ZB, which is a 7-1/4 in circular saw and not a table saw at all.
Then check depth of cut against your typical stock. The 2705 cuts 3-5/8 in at 90 degrees, which clears a nominal 4x4 at 3-1/2 in actual thickness with almost nothing to spare, and about 2-1/2 in at 45 degrees. Check the fence system too, because the rack-and-pinion design is a real reason to pay Makita money. Finally, confirm what is in the box: the bare saw does not include a stand, and the dust port needs a shop vac hooked up before dust collection is worth much.
Mistakes to avoid when choosing a table saw
Do not buy on model number alone from a spec sheet you have not verified. The 2704 and 2705 are both portable 10-inch contractor saws in the 60 lb range, not cast-iron workshop machines, and listings that describe either as a heavy stationary saw are simply wrong. Do not assume a discontinued model is a bargain either; used prices on the 2704 sometimes exceed a new 2705.
Do not buy an export-market model like the MLT100 into the US to save money, because the 260 mm metric blade with a 30 mm bore is not the 10 in, 5/8 in arbor blade your local store stocks. And do not skip the stand decision. Running a table saw on the floor or across two sawhorses is where most kickback injuries start, so either buy the 2705X1 or have a solid bench ready before the saw arrives.
FAQs
Are Makita table saws good?
The 2705 is a well-regarded jobsite saw with a strong 15 amp motor and one of the better rack-and-pinion fences in its class. Makita's table saw range is narrow, though, so the brand is not the place to shop if you want a cabinet saw or a large stationary machine.
What is the best Makita table saw for a beginner?
The 2705X1, which is the 2705 supplied with its folding stand. A stable, correct-height work surface matters more for a beginner than any spec on the saw itself.
Can you use a Makita table saw for ripping hardwoods?
Yes. The 15 amp motor in the 2705 and the older 2704 handles hardwood rips well, provided you fit a sharp blade with an appropriate tooth count and feed at a steady rate rather than forcing the cut.
What is the difference between the Makita 2705 and 2704?
They are the same class of saw. The 2704 is the earlier, now discontinued model and the 2705 is its replacement, with a revised fence and guard system. Both use a 10-inch blade, a 15 amp motor and weigh roughly 60 to 64 lbs.
Does Makita make a cordless table saw?
Not in the North American lineup as of 2026. Model numbers like XSH08ZB that circulate as cordless Makita table saws are circular saws: the XSH08ZB is an 18V X2 (36V) 7-1/4 in rear-handle circular saw. For cordless sheet cutting, look at Makita's cordless plunge saws instead.
What size blade does a Makita table saw use?
The US models take a standard 10 in blade with a 5/8 in arbor. The export-market MLT100 uses a 260 mm blade with a 30 mm bore, which is why blades do not swap between them.
Is the Makita table saw fence accurate?
The rack-and-pinion fence on the 2705 is one of its strongest features and generally locks square without drift. It is still worth checking it against the miter slot with a rule when the saw is new.
How heavy is a Makita table saw?
The bare 2705 is about 63.5 lbs and the discontinued 2704 is about 62 lbs. Adding the folding stand puts the 2705X1 package in the mid 90s, but the two parts separate for carrying.
Can I use a dado blade on a Makita table saw?
No. Makita's portable contractor saws are not designed for dado stacks; the arbor is not long enough and the guard and insert system does not accommodate them. Check the manual for your specific unit before fitting anything other than a standard blade.
Where are Makita table saws made?
Makita manufactures across Japan, China, the United States, the UK and other sites depending on the tool. The table saws sold in the US are typically built overseas, and the country of origin is printed on the tool's rating plate.
What is the warranty on a Makita table saw?
Makita gives most corded tools a one-year limited warranty in the US, alongside a 30-day satisfaction guarantee through the retailer. Register the tool and keep the receipt, because a used 2704 carries no warranty at all.
Does the Makita 2705 come with a stand?
No. The 2705 is the bare saw. If you want the folding stand included, order the 2705X1 instead.
Our verdict
There is really one answer here: the Makita 2705, bought as the 2705X1 if you need the stand. It is a 10-inch, 15 amp contractor saw with a 3-5/8 in cut depth and a fence that justifies the price. The 2704 is a used-market alternative, the MLT100 belongs to export markets, and if your work is mostly sheet goods the SP6000J1 track saw is the smarter buy than any table saw.