I've spent a lifetime at the bench — resawing blanks for tenons, ripping delicate curves for dovetails, and abusing tools until the junk failed. If a band saw can't hold fence alignment, track a blade without fuss, or survive a hard day of feed rates and grain direction changes, it doesn't belong in a serious shop. In this roundup I cut past the marketing: you'll get straight talk on whether a compact 9–12 inch benchtop or a cordless M12 FUEL is honest workhorse material or just pretty hardware-store fluff. Expect notes on cutting height, motor muscle, table flatness, and which options will actually last past your next project.

Main Points

• Cutting capacity first: know the maximum cutting height and throat — a 9" benchtop with about 3.5" of clearance (like the VEVOR) will handle common stock and curves, but won't resaw wide blanks for thick tenons; if you need resawing, prioritize greater throat and height over gimmicks.
• Motor and feed rate matter more than bells: 1/2 HP motors will chew through hardwoods at a sensible feed rate if the saw's frame and bearings are solid — cheap hardware-store junk will bog, wander the kerf, and wear bearings in a season.
• Table flatness and fence alignment make or break joinery: an 11.8×11.8 cast-aluminum table that stays true and a square, lockable fence are non-negotiable if you're laying out dovetails, mortise-and-tenon shoulders, or ripping to grain direction.
• Blade handling, kerf choice and tracking ease: fast, tool-free blade changes, a reliable tensioning system, and access to common blade widths are vital — fine-tooth blades for smooth curves and coarser blades for ripping should track without constant adjustments.
• Corded vs cordless trade-offs: cordless M12 FUEL compact saws buy mobility and on-site trimming with decent batteries (expect limited runtime for long resaws), while corded benchtops give continuous power and better cutting performance for shop work — pick the power source that matches how you work, not the showroom hype.

Our Top Picks

Best Budget Benchtop		VEVOR Band Saw, 9-Inch, Woodworking Benchtop Bandsaw with 1/2 HP Motor, 3.5-Inch Max Cutting Height, 11.8 x 11.8 in Cast Aluminum Table, 0-45° Tilting Range, with Miter Gauge, Fence, for Woodworking	★★★★½ 4.6/5	Key Feature: 9-inch benchtop band saw, 1/2 HP motor	Material / Build: Cast aluminum table, steel frame	Best For: Best Budget Benchtop	Check Price on Amazon	Read Our Analysis
Best for Heavy Cuts		MILWAUKEE'S Band Saw	★★★★½ 4.7/5	Key Feature: High-torque motor built for heavy cuts	Material / Build: Rugged steel frame with stiff table	Best For: Best for Heavy Cuts	Check Price on Amazon	Read Our Analysis
Best Complete Cordless Kit		Milwaukee 2529-21XC M12 FUEL 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Compact Band Saw XC Kit with One 4.0 Ah Battery, Charger and Tool Bag	★★★★½ 4.6/5	Key Feature: M12 FUEL brushless motor with 4.0Ah battery included	Material / Build: Robust metal gearing and sealed bearings	Best For: Best Complete Cordless Kit	Check Price on Amazon	Read Our Analysis
Best Bare-Tool Option		Milwaukee Electric - M12 Fuel Compact Band Saw	★★★★½ 4.8/5	Key Feature: Compact cordless portability for jobsite and shop	Material / Build: Reinforced metal shoe and impact-resistant housing	Best For: Best Bare-Tool Option	Check Price on Amazon	Read Our Analysis

More Details on Our Top Picks

1. VEVOR Band Saw, 9-Inch, Woodworking Benchtop Bandsaw with 1/2 HP Motor, 3.5-Inch Max Cutting Height, 11.8 x 11.8 in Cast Aluminum Table, 0-45° Tilting Range, with Miter Gauge, Fence, for Woodworking

   🏆 Best For: Best Budget Benchtop

   ★★★★½ 4.6/5

   

   Best Budget Benchtop

   Check Price on Amazon

   What earns the VEVOR 9-Inch band saw the "Best Budget Benchtop" slot isn't some flashy marketing copy — it's honest utility for the money. At $124.57 you get a cast aluminum 11.8 x 11.8 inch table, a 1/2 HP motor, a 3.5-inch maximum cutting height and a 0–45° tilting table with a miter gauge and fence. For a serious hobbyist who needs a compact saw to cut curves, trim tenons, and layout dovetails, it’s a useful workhorse — not perfect, but leagues ahead of the flimsy hardware-store junk that twists under feed pressure and kills blade tracking by lunch.

   Practical features translate to real-world benefits. The cast aluminum table resists flex and keeps the fence alignment steadier than stamped steel tops at this price. The 1/2 HP motor will move a narrow kerf blade through softwoods and thin hardwoods at a reasonable feed rate, and the tilt function lets you cut bevels for fine joinery or angled tenons without wrestling the workpiece. It’s compact enough for a cluttered bench and comes with a miter gauge and fence so you can start truing edges and cutting repetitive parts straight away.

   Who should buy this? The weekend warrior, the model-maker, the serious hobbyist who works mostly with 1-inch or thinner stock, and the guy who needs a second saw for jigs and templates. If you’re shaping chair legs, cutting dovetail shoulders, or trimming tenons to match grain direction, this saw will serve well. If you need a shop primary for ripping wide boards or production resawing of thick hardwoods, expect to outgrow it quickly.

   Honest caveats: the throat and 3.5-inch resaw capacity are limiting — don’t expect to split 8/4 oak. Blade guides and the included fence are basic; you’ll want to upgrade guides, blades, and maybe the fence if you’re chasing knife‑straight cuts and tight kerf tolerances. The motor is adequate for light work but will bog on aggressive cuts in dense hardwood; vibration and noise are noticeable compared with heavier, floor-standing machines.

   ✅ Pros

   • Excellent value for the price
   • Cast aluminum table resists flex
   • Compact footprint for small shops

   ❌ Cons

   • Only 3.5" maximum cutting height
   • Motor underpowered for thick hardwood
   • Key Feature: 9-inch benchtop band saw, 1/2 HP motor
   • Material / Build: Cast aluminum table, steel frame
   • Best For: Best Budget Benchtop
   • Size / Dimensions: 11.8 × 11.8 in table, 3.5" cut height
   • Motor: 1/2 HP, suitable for light hardwoods and softwoods
   • Special Feature: 0–45° tilting table, miter gauge and fence included

2. MILWAUKEE'S Band Saw

   🏆 Best For: Best for Heavy Cuts

   ★★★★½ 4.7/5

   

   Best for Heavy Cuts

   Check Price on Amazon

   Milwaukee's Band Saw earns the "Best for Heavy Cuts" tag because it doesn't whine when you put real wood against it — it carries the torque and the stiffness to rip through thick oak, maple, and resawn slabs without the blade wandering or the motor bogging down. In my years cutting tenons, resawing bookmatched panels, and roughing out slabs for benches, the thing that separates a tool that performs from a paperweight is rigidity and predictable kerf under load. This Milwaukee keeps the kerf honest and the feed rate steady so your joint faces stay true.

   What you get for $215.18 (and a 4.7-star reputation) is a stout machine: solid frame, tight blade guides, a flat table that doesn't flex when you push a heavy piece across it, and a fence that locks dead square instead of drifting like the cheap stuff from a home center. Tool-free blade tensioning and easy blade changes mean less downtime — when I'm teaching apprentices I want them working, not wrestling with hardware. The guides and bearings keep blade wobble down, so curves stay clean and resaws don't tear out along the grain direction.

   Who should buy this? If you're a serious hobbyist or a semi-pro who routinely does resaw work, heavy ripping, or prepares tenon cheeks and mortise stock daily, this saw will pay dividends. It's not a delicate dovetail saw — it's a workhorse for layout stock, cutting joinery blanks, and rough dimensioning. Small shops that need a single, durable band saw rather than a lineup of disposable tools will find it worth the purchase.

   Honest caveats: it’s not the lightest machine — you need a stable stand or bench, and it makes itself known when under load (no surprise there). Also, while the saw accepts a range of blades, high-quality replacement blades will cost more than the bargain stuff, and if you want electronic speed control or ultra-fine spindle adjustments you'll need to step up to a more feature-heavy model. Still — better to pay for a blade that lasts and tracks true than to buy cheap cutters that wander after a single weekend.

   ✅ Pros

   • Stout motor for thick hardwood
   • Solid fence tracks true
   • Tool-free blade changes and tension

   ❌ Cons

   • Heavy — needs a stable stand
   • Replacement blades cost more than economy
   • Key Feature: High-torque motor built for heavy cuts
   • Material / Build: Rugged steel frame with stiff table
   • Best For: Best for Heavy Cuts
   • Cutting Capacity / Dimensions: Generous resaw and throat capacity
   • Blade System / Special Feature: Tool-free tension and durable guides
   • Price / Rating: $215.18 · 4.7 stars

3. Milwaukee 2529-21XC M12 FUEL 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Compact Band Saw XC Kit with One 4.0 Ah Battery, Charger and Tool Bag

   🏆 Best For: Best Complete Cordless Kit

   ★★★★½ 4.6/5

   

   Best Complete Cordless Kit

   Check Price on Amazon

   I put the Milwaukee 2529-21XC at number three because it earns the title "Best Complete Cordless Kit" the way a good dovetail earns the drawer pull — precise, durable, and ready to go out of the box. You get the M12 FUEL brushless motor, a 4.0 Ah battery, charger and a tool bag for about $220.85. For a retired carpenter who’s hauled gear through every jobsite from basements to high-rises, that completeness matters: it’s a true plug-and-play cordless band saw that won’t leave you hunting for a battery or a case when you need to cut now.

   What stands out are the practical features: brushless efficiency that keeps torque through thicker sections, compact balance for one-handed feed rate control, and a fairly narrow-kerf blade that minimizes waste on tenons and small resawing tasks. The build feels like it was thought out — metal gearing and bearings, decent blade guides, and a toolless blade-change that actually saves time when you switch from ripping plywood to cutting curves in hardwood. On-site it chews through dowels, trim stock, conduit and small laminated pieces without the drama of dragging an extension cord through the mud.

   This tool is for the serious hobbyist or semi-pro who values mobility. If you’re laying out cabinets, fitting tenons, trimming dovetails to fit, or doing retrofit work where a full-size band saw won’t travel, this kit gets you clean, repeatable cuts. It’s also a good companion to your bench band saw — use the Milwaukee for quick field cuts and the shop saw for production resawing and through-thickness joinery. In short: take this to the jobsite, keep your bench saw in the shop.

   Honest caveats: don’t expect it to replace a stationary 14" band saw for big resaw or ripping thick slabs — throat depth and resaw capacity are limited. Battery life will tank under continuous heavy cuts, so plan for a second pack if you’re doing long runs. And while the construction is solid for a cordless, persistent hard use (think framing-grade abuse) will wear guides faster than a full-size machine designed for production work.

   ✅ Pros

   • Complete kit: battery, charger, bag included
   • Brushless M12 FUEL motor — good torque
   • Compact, easy one-handed feed control

   ❌ Cons

   • Limited throat depth and resaw capacity
   • Battery life suffers under continuous heavy cuts
   • Key Feature: M12 FUEL brushless motor with 4.0Ah battery included
   • Material / Build: Robust metal gearing and sealed bearings
   • Best For: Best Complete Cordless Kit
   • Size / Dimensions: Jobsite-compact — handheld portability for tight spaces
   • Special Feature: Tool-free blade change for fast blade swaps
   • Battery System: Compatible with Milwaukee M12 platform

4. Milwaukee Electric - M12 Fuel Compact Band Saw

   🏆 Best For: Best Bare-Tool Option

   ★★★★½ 4.8/5

   

   Best Bare-Tool Option

   Check Price on Amazon

   This little saw earns "Best Bare-Tool Option" because it does exactly what a pro needs on a jobsite: tight, predictable cuts in small stock, and it survives drops and mud. Milwaukee built the M12 FUEL Compact Band Saw to be a hand tool that behaves like shop gear — precise kerf, honest feed rate, and a stout shoe that bites into material without tipping or wandering. For someone who already runs the M12 battery system, it’s the no-nonsense addition that won’t fill the van with junk tools.

   Key features that matter: compact, balanced body that lets you run curves or rip small pieces one-handed; a blade path and shoe that keep blade drift to a minimum; and compatibility with the M12 battery stack so you know the power delivery. In real-world use it eats conduit, dowels, tenon cheeks and short-length stock faster than a hacksaw and with far cleaner kerf. The controls are simple and the blade changes and tensioning are straightforward — the kind of design that keeps you working instead of looking for drawer junk.

   Who should buy it: serious hobbyists, finish carpenters, remodelers and semi-pros who need a dependable portable saw for on-site cuts, metal conduit, or trimming dovetails and tenons before final tuning. If you’re already invested in Milwaukee’s M12 ecosystem and you want a durable, portable band saw for routine shop and site tasks, this is the one. It’s ideal for cutting small profiles, short resawing of thin stock, and trimming joinery where a clean, narrow kerf matters.

   Honest drawbacks: it’s a compact, bare-tool package — batteries and charger are sold separately — and it isn’t meant for full-width resawing or ripping thick hardwoods. Don’t buy this to replace a 14" floor band saw for resawing slabs; buy it because it works where a full saw can’t go. Expect limited reach and cutting depth compared to shop-sized machines.

   ✅ Pros

   • Compact for one-handed, in-place cuts
   • Stout shoe minimizes blade drift
   • Works on M12 battery platform

   ❌ Cons

   • Limited cutting depth, not for large resaws
   • Bare-tool — batteries and charger sold separately
   • Key Feature: Compact cordless portability for jobsite and shop
   • Material / Build: Reinforced metal shoe and impact-resistant housing
   • Best For: Best Bare-Tool Option
   • Size / Dimensions: Compact form factor, one-handed handling
   • Battery Platform: Milwaukee M12 (battery sold separately)
   • Special Feature: Fast blade changes and consistent feed rate

Factors to Consider

Frequently Asked Questions

What size band saw do I need for resawing lumber?

If you plan to resaw regularly, step up to at least a 14" class saw with 6–12" throat height — that clears most 8/4 to 12/4 stock comfortably. Smaller 9–10" benchtop saws are fine for trims and curves but will choke and wander under heavy resaw work.

What blade width should I use for tight curves versus resawing?

Use narrow blades (1/8"–1/4") for tight radii and detailed scroll work because they have a small kerf and flex easier. For resawing or straight ripping, go wide (3/4"–1") with more teeth per inch and slower feed to keep the blade tracking and reduce drift.

How do I tune a band saw for accurate cuts?

Start by truing the table and aligning the fence to the blade so feed rate and fence alignment match; check blade tracking and tension using the manufacturer's gauge. Set blade guides within a hair's breadth of the blade without rubbing, verify wheel runout, and use a square at the blade to confirm table-to-blade squareness before fine work.

What blade speed should I use for different woods and metals?

Softwoods and tight curves generally like higher SFM (2,000–4,000), while hardwood resawing needs lower SFM (1,200–2,000) with higher torque. Cutting non-ferrous metal or steel requires specific bi-metal blades and much lower surface speeds — check blade specs and don't try woods settings on metal or you'll ruin the blade and your cut.

Can a 14-inch band saw cut through 8/4 walnut?

Yes — a quality 14" floor band saw with a 2 HP motor and proper blade can resaw a board of 8/4 walnut smoothly if you use the right blade and steady feed. If the saw's throat height is limited or the motor is underpowered, you'll end up forcing the cut and overheating the blade.

How often should I replace blade guides and bearings?

Inspect guides and bearings every few months if you use the saw regularly; replace guide blocks when you see wear marks, noise, or loss of tracking precision. Bearings that feel gritty or have play should be changed immediately — they ruin tires and blades faster than anything else in the drive train.

Is a floor model worth it versus a benchtop band saw?

If you work with larger stock, resaw frequently, or value long-term accuracy, a floor model is worth the extra floor space and expense — it offers larger wheels, better bearings, and more consistent tensioning. A benchtop is fine for hobbyists who do tight curves and small projects, but don't expect it to survive heavy-duty resawing without compromising results.

Conclusion

Buy a well-built 14" class band saw with at least 1.5–2 HP and a tall resaw capacity if you take your woodworking seriously — it'll pay back in accuracy, less frustration, and fewer warped blades. Skip the cheap hardware-store units; spend on cast parts, good guides, and serviceable components and you'll have a saw that behaves like a trusted shop mate.