The 8 Best Table Saw Blades
Updated: Mar. 09, 2022With the right table saw blades, you can make a wide variety of cross, rip and dado cuts. Here are our top choices.
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How To Choose Table Saw Blades
A table saw is an essential part of a woodworker’s power tool collection. It lets you quickly perform rip cuts (along the grain) and crosscuts (across the grain), as long as you use the correct blade.
These large, circular blades may all look similar, but they vary more than you think. Depending on the type of wood or cut, they can produce noticeably different results. Consider these factors to ensure you purchase the best saw blade for the task.
- Teeth: The number of teeth indicates what type of cut the blade does best, as well as what materials it can effectively cut. Blades with the fewest teeth (20 to 32) are best for rough ripping cuts. They’re not great for finishing work. Blades with about 40 teeth, also called combination blades, are great for rip and crosscuts. Blades with 40 to 60 teeth are ideal for crosscuts; their smaller teeth create smooth ends and prevent unsightly blowouts, perfect for cutting corner molding. Higher count blades (80 to 120 teeth) are best for higher quality plywood, laminate or medium density fiberboard (MDF), resulting in the cleanest cuts. Dado blades, with fewer teeth, create the grooves needed for interlocking joinery. If you’re not sure what you’ll be cutting, go with a combination blade.
- Kerf size: The kerf refers to the width of the teeth, and indicates how much wood each cut removes. Full kerf blades, 1/8-inch, are sturdier and less likely to wobble while you cut. Thin kerf blades, 3/32-inch, create less waste and sawdust; they’re are well-suited for thin, more precise cuts. Because thin kerfs remove less wood, they also take less of a toll on your saw motor. That makes the blades more energy-efficient and better for saws with less than three horsepower (hp).
- Diameter: Most table saw blades are 10 inches in diameter, suitable for most cutting tasks. If you need to cut material thicker than 1-1/4-inch, choose a 12-inch blade. Keep in mind these larger blades may wobble, which can decrease accuracy. Ensure your table saw can accept whatever size blade you’re planning to use.
- Sharpening: All blades need to sharpened at some point. Lower-tooth-count blades with large teeth can be sharpened easier and more frequently than smaller tooth blades. Thin kerf teeth shouldn’t be sharpened as frequently as full ones.
- Finish: If you can afford it, choose a blade with a protective finish that resists buildup of pitch, a natural residue from wood. Pitch creates friction as the blade cuts, heating up the blade and causing it to break down faster. These blades may be more expensive, but they’ll last longer and require less cleaning.
Best Table Saw Blades for Crosscuts
Twelve stabilizer vents on the surface of the Freud’s Diablo D1060X Table Saw Blade reduce noise and vibrations, preventing wobbles and inaccurate cuts. It also features 60 teeth, making it ideal for performing crosscuts easily and effectively. A non-stick coating on the blade prevents wood pitch from gumming up this blade, reducing wear and tear and corrosion.
Best Table Saw Blades for General Use
If you’re looking for a combination blade for a wide range of cutting tasks, the Freud D0740A Diablo Table Saw Blade is a great choice. Its 40 teeth are well-suited for crosscuts and rip cuts, and can also be used in your miter saw. Made of a high-density carbide, the teeth are durable enough to stand up to frequent use. A protective finish helps resist heat and corrosion.
Best Table Saw Blades for Rip Cuts
The 24 heavy-duty teeth on the Freud LU87R010 Table Saw Blade are perfect for executing long rip cuts and convenient to sharper. This blade can handle wood from 3/4-in. to 2-3/4-inches thick.
A non-stick coating prevents the buildup of pitch that causes unnecessary drag. Combined with the energy-saving thin kerf, it’s efficient enough to use with an underpowered table saw.
Best Table Saw Blades: Low Budget
If your budget is tight but you want the benefits of a combination blade, check out the Irwin Tools Marathon 10-in. Table Saw Blade. It features 40 teeth. Although it lacks the dedicated stabilizer vents of higher-end options, the five heat vents help keep the blade cool while you work.
This table saw blade is also available in a 12-inch version if you need to cut thicker boards. A low-cost blade like this one could be a good substitute for your more expensive blade when cutting rough framing material.
Best Table Saw Blades: Fine Cuts
With 80 high-density carbide teeth, the Freud Ultimate Blade LU79R010 makes extremely smooth cuts quickly. Thanks to laser-cut slots that reduce vibration and prevent splintering, cuts made with this blade are straight and true.
This blade works especially well with delicate materials like melamine and veneered plywood. It’s expensive, but worth it if you need to make fine cuts.
Best Table Saw Blades: Value Pack
If you’re a beginner and not sure what you’ll be cutting, this DeWalt DW3106P5 & DW3114 Table Saw Blade Set is a smart choice. It includes 32-, 40-, and 60-tooth blades, so whether you need to make cross, rip or fine cuts, you’ve got the right one. This versatile set is a great gift for a busy woodworker, or a beginner who just bought their first table saw.
Best Table Saw Blades: Splurge
Although it’s priced significantly higher than any other blade on our list, the rugged construction and heavy-duty cutting capability of the Forrest WW10407125 Woodworker II Table Saw Blade could be worth the price.
Its 40 tooth count is versatile enough for cross and rip cuts up to two inches thick, and durable enough for hardwoods like maple. This blade is also available in a range of diameters and kerf sizes. That makes it useful for a range of wood thicknesses, saw power levels and cuts.
Best Table Saw Blades: Dado
The Diablo Stacked Dado Table Saw Blade Set includes a pair of 12-tooth blades and wing chippers to clear out debris as they cut, so you can easily create a range of joinery cuts and grooves.
A non-stick finish prevents any gumming or corrosion. That makes these blades more accurate and well-suited for the precise cuts needed for shelving, rabbets and tongue and groove work. The included shims make it easy to adjust the kerf to the requirements of your project. It ships with a carrying case for easy, safe storage and transport.